Firefly’s commitment to inclusion.
It is our belief that our services have many benefits which are supported by growing research. Those benefits should be accessible to all and we are passionate about making that happen! We believe that everyone should be treated equally, regardless of their religion, beliefs, age, gender, race, disability or sexual orientation. We are therefore constantly striving to learn, develop, collaborate, listen and implement to make this Firefly’s way.
Our equality and diversity, Safeguarding and admission policy are all available for view. Take a look at what we have achieved so far and help us move forward in any way you wish! Thus far, collaborations with SCOPE and Dementia Awareness, have helped us to assess our site and develop our skill set. We have attended Autism awareness training and have absorbed what we have learnt into our delivery to make a visit to Firefly a friendly one. We complete NSPCC training to ensure its a safeguarded one. We are DBS checked and First Aid trained to make it a safe one. We are qualified in creativity to make it a really fun one !!!
A bit about the Pottery
We have three areas within our premises, this gives us some control over creating quiet zones, we do not have music playing. We have a ‘go to’ box is on site which includes all sorts of helpful bits, including ear defenders. We are aware that for some, a visit to our pottery will only be viable without other customers present, or that an empty pottery to walk through before a visit would be an advantage. Please talk to us, we will do what we can to enable your visit to happen, our insurance also covers us to happily come to you.
We are on the second floor of Swinnow Grange Mills so have two flights of stairs making us unsuitable for wheelchair users. The mill has its own large free car park making us easy access from vehicles. We do have our own spacious bathroom with two cubicles.
Who’s played with Clay!
We are happy to say that Individuals and family’s with a wide range of additional needs visit us regularly, we have had the pleasure of hosting workshops for organisations such as People Matters, Creativities, SILC schools, PRU schools, Airborough Supported Activities Scheme, visitors on borstal release, we are also vetted annually to enable Barnardo’s visits.
News and developments in Firefly inclusion
Our move to larger premises has forced a compromise on access , there is a lift in the Mill and we hope one day funding will come in to help get it back in working order.
We are currently working on a bid to add a funded staff member to our team to offer subsidised workshops and if secured we will be reaching out into the community bring pottery to where it can work its magic to help the most.